Archive for February, 2007
Everton injury news
Everton’s official site have news of injured quartet - James McFadden, Nuno Valente, Alan Stubbs and Andy van der Meyde.
McFadden is currently working his way back from a broken foot and is exptected to come into first team contention in early April. The same timescale is estimated for Valente who has been out with calf-strain. Meanwhile, short-term injury victims Stubbs and van der Meyde will be training this week with Stubbs likely to be available to Moyes for the game at Sheffield Utd. Whether he’ll play is another matter. Stubbs will need to break up the Lescott and Yobo partnership that has played the majority fo the season and kept a clean sheet at Watford last weekend.
ContinuedVilla’s Moore set for recall?
Not so much team news, rather a heads-up on the situation with Luke Moore at Villa. The young striker hit his 4th goal in as many games for their reserves last night [source] and is now firmly pushing for a recall against Fulham on Saturday. Although Moore is unlikely to start the match, his return to fitness and form does hand O’Neill the opportunity to rest Agbonlahor, something he’s been keen to do for a while. If you’re considering swooping for Gaby, perhaps to exploit Villa’s 2 games this gameweek, I’d advise caution. I have a feeling Moore will figure alongisde Carew and Young in a forthcoming game very soon.
ContinuedLucketti sidelined for Blades
Sheffield United have lost warhorse centre-back Chris Lucketti to a foot ligament injury [source]. Lucketti hobbled off after 32 minutes of the game at Anfield on Saturday, to be replaced by another veteran defender, Chris Morgan. Morgan now looks likely to start against Everton on Saturday with Lucketti possibly sidelined fo 2-3 weeks. In addition to Morgan, both Davis and Bromby are now available to selection for Satursday game, although Kilgallon is still out.
ContinuedO’Neil and Benjani are Pompey doubts
Portsmouth have injury concerns over Gary O’Neil and Benjani for Saturday’s game against Chelsea [source]. O’Neil has a swollen knee and has an “outside chance” of being available, while Benjani is doubtful with a foot injury. Sean Davis is also carrying a minor knock. Lauren meanwhile will apparently step up his recovery from a thigh strain at the end of the week and may be available for Portsmouth’s game against Reading in two weeks time. If Davis and O’Neil don’t make it, then Douala and Richard Hughes will come into contention. Benjani’s absence will be compensated by the likely return of Kanu to the starting lineup.
ContinuedBowyer back for Hammers
Sir Trevor might be fear for the Hammers [source] but there’s some good news for them today at least. Lee Bowyer has been delcared fit for the game on Sunday, when Spurs visit Upton Park [source]. Bowyer, along with defender James Collins, were considered for the Charlton game but weren’t risked. After that result, it seems certain that Bowyer will go straight back into the side to add some much needed fight to a midfield already lacking Reo-Coker through suspension. Benayoun or Etherington seem likley to make way for his return.
ContinuedWednesday’s FA Cup Team News
Players banned left, right and centre. A string of injuries. Arsenal are up against it in tomorrow night’s replay at Blackburn. Here’s the latest team news…
ContinuedKeane’s dismissal stands
Spurs are the latest to be disapointed by the FA, having had Robbie Keane’s appeal against his red-card on Sunday, rejected. It look for all the world that Campo’s header hit his chest initially and then his arm on the way down, but the FA, like Graham Poll, clearly saw it differently. Honestly, these FA appeals seem like a complete waste of time. The London club representatives don’t even get a day’s shopping out of the trip.
Keane will now miss the game at West Ham on Saturday.
ContinuedAdebayor and Obi Mikel appeals fail
The appeal against the red cards dished out to Adebayor and Obi Mikel have be thrown out by the FA. Mikel will now serve a 4-match suspension as it is his second sending off the season. Adebayor meanwhile, will automatically miss 3 games – including the Cup replay with Blackburn tomorrow night, the Reading game on Saturday and, maybe, the Cup Quarter Final with City the week after, if Arsenal progress. However, having been charged earlier today, Adebayor also faces an extension of his ban, which could mean a further 2 or more matches are added to his suspension.
For Fantasy Managers, the absence of Obi Mikel is not a major blow. Adebayor’s prolonged suspension is an interesting one though. With Van Persie still out for 4-8 weeks, it ensures Henry will be ever present and also that either Baptista or Aliadiere will appear in at least 2-3 games each, if not more.
Earlier today, Eboue was also charged and is also likely to be handed a 3-match absence. Fantasy Managers will now be monitoring the progress of Hoyte, who when fit, will slot into the right-back spot for the next 3 matches at least. Hoyte is currently struggling with a hamstring injury.
ContinuedEboue and Adebayor charged by FA
Arsenal’s Eboue has been charged with violent conduct for striking Wayne Bridge. Athough this seems to confirm Adebayor’s sending off as a case of mistaken identity, the Arsenal striker has also been charged for “reacting aggressively and failing to leave the field of play immediatelyâ€. Eboue is now facing at least a 3-match ban while Adebayor could now face an additional ban on top of his existing 3 match ban, if his appeal against the red card, later today, fails.
Both players have until 6pm tomorrow to appeal. It appears that Chelsea’s Drogba and Essien will come out of the “incident†without any retribution.
The existing appeals against the red cards handed out to both Adebayor and Chelsea’s Obi Mikel, will be held later this afternoon.
ContinuedDrogba and Essien risk suspension?
A story over at Tribal Football this morning suggests that both Drogba and Essien will be sweating over the outcome of today’s Carling Cup Final disciplinary appeal at the FA. It seems that video evidence points to Essien and Drogba striking out at opponents - acts which could see them both face 3 match bans. Such a decision would surely be contested by Chelsea, but even the suggestion of such a measure, will have many Fantasy Managers rather nervous this morning.
Continued
